India’s sporting landscape is undergoing a quiet but meaningful shift. As community-driven sports gain momentum, pickleball has emerged as one of the fastest-growing movements in the country — and Hemal Jain has been at the center of its rise.
With a background in real estate and infrastructure, Hemal entered the space with a clear focus on building from the ground up. As Co-Founder and Chief Business Architect at Global Sports Pickleball, he has played a pivotal role in developing courts, fostering grassroots programs, and shaping a professional league structure that can support long-term growth.
His journey reflects a belief that sustainable sport development begins with accessibility, participation, and strong foundations rather than rapid, trend-driven expansion.
In this conversation, Hemal talks about India’s evolving sports culture, the rise of community-first play, and what it takes to build a future-ready ecosystem for an emerging sport like pickleball.
What key shifts in India’s sports culture have contributed to the rapid rise of newer, community-driven sports in recent years?
In recent years, India has experienced a fascinating transformation from simply watching sports to actively getting involved. People are on the lookout for sports that are easy to pick up, social, and open to everyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or the need for big facilities. Particularly in urban areas, sports are becoming more of a lifestyle choice rather than just a competitive activity. This shift has paved the way for community-focused sports that prioritize flexibility and inclusivity. The emergence of multi-sport hubs, weekend leagues, and engaging events highlights a growing desire for belonging to a sports community, rather than just being a spectator. Sports like pickleball are thriving as part of this cultural movement towards more accessible recreation.
Coming from a strong infrastructure and entrepreneurial background, what structural gaps do you believe still limit the growth of emerging sports in India?
India’s biggest challenge is the uneven distribution of accessible sporting infrastructure. Many facilities are either too expensive, too far from residential clusters, or not designed for multi-sport use. Additionally, early-stage sports often struggle with standardised coaching pathways and a lack of integrated ecosystems that can connect grassroots participation with competitive opportunities. Policy support has improved, but emerging sports still rely heavily on private initiatives to scale. What’s missing is a coordinated model that combines infrastructure development, community programming, and long-term athlete nurturing.
Pickleball is often praised for being social and inclusive. Based on your on-ground experience, what aspects of the sport are drawing in first-time players the most?
The best part about this sport is how approachable it is. You can grab a paddle and start playing within minutes, which provides an instant thrill. Additionally, there is enough strategy involved to keep you on your toes as you improve. It’s perfect for families and groups of friends because it welcomes all ages and skill levels. The vibe of the community, especially during open play where anyone can join in for doubles, is something you do not see in many other sports. That easygoing social atmosphere is what keeps newcomers coming back for more.
As someone building both grassroots programs and competitive formats, how do you see the long-term pathway developing for athletes entering the sport today?
India is at an interesting inflection point. The grassroots base is expanding rapidly, and we are now seeing young athletes approaching pickleball with a structured, multi-year mindset. The pathway will increasingly mirror more established sports, from school-level participation to district and state circuits, and eventually national and international competition. Larger tournaments, including the Grand Slam coming up in December, are helping players imagine a clear future in the sport without making the journey feel inaccessible. Over time, coaching certifications, academies, and talent identification programs will strengthen this pipeline further.
Global sports are increasingly eyeing India as a growth market. What learnings from pickleball’s journey could help other sports build deeper community engagement here?
One of the biggest learnings is that building a community cannot be an afterthought, it has to be the starting point. Pickleball grew because it prioritised access and participation instead of performance. Creating simple entry points, designing formats for mixed age groups, and fostering local playgroups are what allowed the sport to scale organically. Sports that rely heavily on top-down promotion often struggle to create stickiness. India responds best to formats that make people feel like contributors, not consumers.
In your earlier conversations, you’ve spoken about experience-led participation in sports. How is the modern recreational player’s mindset evolving, and what does that signal for the future of multi-sport adoption in India?
Today’s recreational player is driven by three things: meaningful experiences, flexible formats, and social connection. People want sports that fit into their lifestyle, not the other way around. This is why short-format, community-friendly sports are seeing a surge. The modern player is also more open to adopting multiple sports across a week or month, seeing each one as a different social or fitness experience. This signals a future where India will have a more fluid sporting culture, with players comfortably moving between recreational and competitive ecosystems depending on their goals and time. Sports that embrace this mindset will see much deeper and more sustainable adoption.
